Santa Barbara Symphony News

​The Santa Barbara Symphony has performed some dynamite concerts under the leadership of Music and Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti this season, but the "Bernstein & Americana" pair Feb. 17-18 at the Granada Theatre kicked up a particularly satisfying vibe that likely gave most in the audience a buzz for a couple of days.

The program primarily focused on a wide-ranging travelogue of the music of Leonard Bernstein in celebration of the composer’s 100th birthday. Also featured were works by American composers Aaron Copland and Santa Barbara’s Robin Frost. Pianist Natasha Kislenko, principal keyboardist with the symphony and a major musical presence in this community, performed the world premiere of Frost’s Piano Concerto, and symphony principals Jon Lewis on trumpet and Sarah Beck on English horn paired for Copland’s haunting Quiet City for Strings, Trumpet and English Horn.

Concerts on March 24 and 25 also will feature Britten’s ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’ and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

Santa Barbara, CA — Ukrainian piano virtuoso Alexander Romanovsky, whose extraordinary technique and interpretive acumen have garnered critical plaudits in the United States and Europe, will perform Franz Liszt’s incandescent first piano concerto with the Santa Barbara Symphony, under the baton of Maestro Nir Kabaretti, on Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25. Also featuring The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Benjamin Britten’s irresistible, age-defying symphonic tutorial, as well as Tchaikovsky’s spectacular Symphony No. 5, the concerts will take place at 8 pm on March 24 and at 3 pm on March 25 at Santa Barbara’s Granada Theatre. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased at www.granadasb.org or by calling 805-899-2222.

Meet Our Musicians - Jon Lewis

February 16, 2018

[Voice Magazine] Celebrating Leonard Bernstein and the Great American Songbook

February 16, 2018

It's not often the worlds of music, dance, and theater come together as one to celebrate the life and art of a single person. All around the globe 2018 is the Leonard Bernstein year, marking the composer’s 100th birthday with performances of his music for the concert and Broadway stages in cities large and small.

The Santa Barbara Symphony’s pair of concerts at the Granada Theatre this weekend on Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm will salute Bernstein’s music, while also honoring his passion for new music with the world premiere of local composer Robin Frost’s Piano Concerto, featuring the orchestra’s house pianist, Natasha Kislenko.

[Independent] Symphony Celebrates Leonard Bernstein

February 16, 2018

Lisa Vroman to Sing with Orchestra and Chorus

Maestro Leonard Bernstein achieved success as a composer for both the concert hall and the Broadway musical stage; his ballet scores were as irresistible to the public as were his popular songs. In an era when such comprehensive cultural impact seemed like a thing of the past, Bernstein demonstrated that it was still possible, and what’s more, that if it was done well, people would stop worrying about which was which.

Santa Barbara Symphony to Celebrate 100 Years of Leonard Bernstein

February 01, 2018

Concerts on February 17 & 18 at the Granada Theatre will feature celebrated soprano Lisa Vroman, and include a new work by local composer Robin Frost.

Santa Barbara, CA — The Santa Barbara Symphony, under the baton of Maestro Nir Kabaretti, will pay tribute to the musical genius of Leonard Bernstein with performances that highlight the breadth of his legacy on Saturday, February 17, and Sunday, February 18. Featuring award-winning soprano Lisa Vroman and singers from the Santa Barbara Choral Society, the concerts will take place at 8 pm on February 17 and at 3 pm on February 18 at the Granada Theatre. The program will include some of Bernstein’s best-known works, including melodies from the ballet Fancy Free and his timeless West Side Story, as well as Aaron Copland’s Quiet City and the world premiere of a piano concerto by acclaimed Santa Barbara-based composer Robin Frost. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased at www.granadasb.org or by calling 805-899-2222.

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The Santa Barbara Symphony was founded in 1953 on the belief that a special city deserves a special orchestra. For over 60 years, the Symphony has been lauded for its unique ability to deliver brilliant concerts, engage the community and deliver powerful music education programs.